Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Thursday - September 23, 2004
From: Dumfries, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Smarty Plants on wildflower identification
Answered by: Stephen Brueggerhoff
QUESTION:
Can you recommend a good CD-ROM on wildflower identification? I live in Virginia and am constantly frustrated trying to identify the myriad wildflowers I encounter as I move around the state.ANSWER:
I am not familiar with existing CD-ROM "field guides" for native plant identification currently available on the market. Research in internet, or web-based, interfaces, combined with technological advances in hand-held units (PDA's), appear to be the latest development in e-tronic field guides. The closest I could come to CD-ROM technology is a resources entitled Woody Plants of North America. We provide a robust info on plants native to North America through our Native Plant Database, where you can research info on plants by name, vegetative or habit characteristics, even by region or state. Also, I recommend getting in contact with your state native plant society, where the kind folks at VNPS might be able to provide you with additional resources that will accomodate your need.More Plant Identification Questions
Florida hanging vine with occasional red tongue-like leaves
December 01, 2011 - I live in south Florida and I used to grow a hanging vine that had green slender leaves and an occasional red leaf that looked like a tongue that protruded horizontally from the plant. do you know wha...
view the full question and answer
Vine with wine-colored flowers in Washington County, TX
April 04, 2014 - I'm trying to identify a deep purple wine colored flowering vine in Washington County, Texas. It looks very similar to Texas wisteria, but it is something else. I've seen them growing in vineyards...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
August 25, 2013 - Found a plant with tiny, white, fragrant flowers on spires by a lake near Fredericksburg, TX. Could you possibly identify it?
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
November 15, 2013 - I need help identifying a flower/plant. It has a long stem with a Flower at the top and small 2" green things that look like small bananas at the bottom.( But not Bananas) I open one up and it had s...
view the full question and answer
Picture in newspaper from Austin
June 02, 2012 - Your gardening story for the Jan 21,2012 in the Austin American Statesman pictured a pale green bush with purple flowers, however the plant was not identified. Can you tell me what it is?
Thanks
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |